Medical borescopes and related tip assemblies

ABSTRACT

Medical borescopes and related methods. In some embodiments, a medical borescope may comprise a handle and a tube extending from the handle. The tube may be partially, or wholly, defined by an at least substantially non-conductive material, such as a suitable plastic, ceramic, or other non-metallic material. A tip assembly may be positioned at a distal end of the tube. The tip assembly may comprise a light source, a lens assembly, a printed circuit board, and an image sensor.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 14/958,728,filed on Dec. 3, 2015 and titled “MEDICAL BORESCOPES AND RELATED METHODSAND SYSTEMS,” which is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No.14/790,977, filed on Jul. 2, 2015 and titled “BORESCOPES AND RELATEDMETHODS AND SYSTEMS,” which claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e)of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/020,389, which was filedJul. 2, 2014 and titled “PORTABLE SCOPE FOR MEDICAL PROCEDURES.” Each ofthe aforementioned applications is hereby incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of this invention relate to borescoping technology, whichmay include, for example, laparoscopy, endoscopy, other related medicalborescoping, and other industrial applications, such as engine, turbine,or building inspections.

BACKGROUND

Borescope technology has been applied to the medical field for manyyears. For example, laparoscopy and endoscopy both involve a medicalprofessional inserting a borescope into a patient. The borescope allowsthe medical practitioner to view the patient's internal organs withouthaving to expose the organs to the open air through surgery.

In a conventional laparoscopic system, a laparoscope, comprising a rodlens tube and a handle body, connects to a processing stack, which isused to process image data received from a laparoscope. The rod lenstube is the portion of the laparoscope that is inserted into a patient'sabdominal cavity. A high intensity light is introduced into the lens andilluminates the tissue. Light reflected off the surfaces of the tissueis transmitted back up the rod lens into a camera, which captures animage that is transmitted through a wire to image processing equipmentin the equipment stack.

As described above conventional laparoscopic systems suffer from severalshortcomings. For example, laparoscopic systems require large stacks ofequipment to generate the light and process the video image. The lightis typically a high intensity xenon light source that is delivered tothe laparoscope through a fiber optic cable. The fiber optic cable isfragile and gets in the way of the medical practitioners. In addition,the high intensity light sources can be extremely hot, even burningpatients or starting patient covering drapes on fire if improperlymonitored. In addition, the light source can vary in color or intensityfrom one setup to the next or over time, thereby requiring frequentwhite balancing. Additionally, the rod lenses are fragile, which limitstheir use in certain conditions and/or necessitates costly repairs orreplacement. Indeed, an entire secondary industry has developed thatfocuses on repairing broken rod lens tubes.

SUMMARY

Embodiments disclosed herein may comprise systems, methods, andapparatus configured to provide medical professionals with a highlyportable medical borescope system (e.g., laparoscope system) thateliminates the need for an external light source or large video imagingprocessing equipment. Although preferred embodiments may be mostsuitable for use in the medical field, it is contemplated that a varietyof other fields may benefit from this disclosure. For example, variousembodiments disclosed herein may have industrial applications, such asinspection and/or maintenance of aircraft engines, other engines and/orturbines, building inspections, tank inspection, surveillance,forensics, and the like. Because many such applications, like manymedical applications, involve visual inspection of areas that can bemessy and/or involve remote access points, the portability and/ordisposability features disclosed herein may be particularly useful inconnection with a variety of fields and applications, both medical andnon-medical in nature.

Some embodiments disclosed herein may provide a laparoscope body that isdisposable or suitable for single use or a limited number of uses (e.g.,10 uses). In some such embodiments, the system may be configured toenforce disposability. For example, some embodiments may be configuredto track usage data, such as, for example, a duration of operationand/or a number of times the borescope has been turned on. In some suchembodiments, the system may be configured to disable or alter anoperational and/or control parameter of the borescope in response todetermining that an operational parameter or threshold has beenexceeded.

In some embodiments, the dongle may be used to query the borescope forcertain data that may be stored on the borescope, such as, for example,model identification data or calibration data. The dongle may then beconfigured to change certain operational or control parameters basedupon the data received from the borescope. For example, the dongle maybe used to use the data received from the borescope to adjust thedisplay characteristics of the images generated by the borescope so thatthe clinician is able to view images of the same or similar quality,irrespective of the variation in lens and/or LED outputs that may bereceived from different borescopes. In this manner, a single dongle mayalso be used with a variety of different borescopes.

In some embodiments, the dongle and/or borescope may also, oralternatively, be configured to obtain and store usage data that may beused to provide data to governmental authorities, for example, similarto the use of a “black box” in the context of the airline industry. Oneor more sensors may be located in the tip, or elsewhere, of theborescope. Such sensors may be used to receive various data, such astemperatures, pressures, velocities, images, orientations, etc., whichmay be used to recreate certain aspects of a medical procedure. Forexample, in some embodiments, such data may be tracked throughout amedical procedure, or at intermittent points throughout a medicalprocedure. In other embodiments, certain events, particularly unexpectedevents, may trigger gathering of such data.

In some embodiments, a clock and/or timer may be provided on the dongleand/or borescope. This clock/timer may be used to correlate certainusage data with a date stamp. In this manner, certain aspects of amedical procedure may be correlated with usage data so that certainaspects of the procedure may be recreated and traced to the particulartime or times during which they occurred. In embodiments in which theborescope contains model identification data, this data may be storedand linked to the usage data so that it can be determined whichborescope used in conjunction with a particular dongle was associatedwith a particular set of usage data.

The system may also include a portable image processing dongle incommunication with the laparoscope. The dongle outputs the video imageto a display. The dongle can include common display connectors such as,for example, HDMI, USB, or Lightning™ connectors for attaching anon-proprietary display or connecting a proprietary display through auniversal connector.

In some embodiments, the mobility and/or disposability of thelaparoscope may be achieved by placing an LED and image sensor withinthe body of the laparoscope (i.e., within the portion of the laparoscopethat is placed in the sterile field of the patient). For example, someembodiments comprise a medical borescope tube that has a first tube endand a second tube end. The first tube end can be distal from a handlebody and the second tube end can be in communication with the handlebody. A light source and an image sensor may be disposed at the firsttube end. A power source may be in communication with the light sourceand the image sensor. A data link may connect the image sensor to animage processor. The image processor may be disposed within a donglethat is connected to the handle body through a flexible wire.

In at least one alternative embodiment, instead of communicating to adongle, a mobile computing device, such as a tablet or mobile phone, maybe in communication with the handle body, such as via wired cablesand/or wireless communication links, for example. As such, the mobilecomputing device can process the image data and provide a display toview the processed data. The mobile computing device may also provideadditional general computing functionality relating to sharing medicaldata and analyzing image data.

As an additional example, some implementations may comprise methods forprocessing image data received from an image sensor disposed within atip of a medical borescope device. The method can comprising serializingimage data received from an image sensor or otherwise receiving and/orprocessing image data from an image sensor, which image sensor may bedisposed at a first end of a medical borescope tube. The method canfurther comprise transmitting the image data (in some implementations,serialized image data) down the medical borescope tube to a second endof the medical borescope tube. Additionally, the method can comprisedeserializing or otherwise processing and/or receiving the image data atan image processor, which may be located within a dongle that is incommunication with the image sensor. The method can also compriseinterpolating color from the image data, correcting color saturation,filtering out noise, gamma encoding, and/or converting the image datafrom RGB to YUV using the image processor.

In some embodiments, the image processor (e.g., in the dongle) includesa white balancing module. The white balancing module may set the whitebalance based on the color spectrum of the LED in the tip of theborescope. Thus, the image processing may be pre-calibrated during themanufacturing stage, thereby avoiding the need of the user to adjust thewhite balance with each use.

In a preferred embodiment, the borescope may include a fixed lens thatis pre-focused at the desired depth of field. The lens may be placed atthe distal end of the borescope just distal to the sensor at a fixeddistance to create a fixed lens. The fixed lens and image sensor at thedistal end may be pre-focused, thereby eliminating the need for themedical practitioner to focus the lens. The fixed lens, pre-focused,pre-calibrated white balance allows a medical practitioner to plug inthe borescope to a monitor and receive high quality imaging with minimaltechnical assistance or adjustments.

In an example of a medical borescope device according to someembodiments, the device may comprise a tube comprising a first tube endand a second tube end opposite from the first tube end. A handle bodymay be coupled with the tube. A light source, such as a light emittingdiode, may be positioned adjacent to the first tube end and configuredto generate light at the first tube end. The device may further comprisean image sensor positioned adjacent to the first tube end and a powersource, such as a battery, that may be configured to provide power to atleast one of the light source and the image sensor. In some embodiments,the battery or other power source may be used to provide power to thelight source, the image sensor, and/or any other components of thedevice requiring power.

A data communication link may be coupled with the image sensor. Thedevice may further comprise a dongle comprising an image processorconfigured to receive image data from the image sensor. This may allowthe device to be coupled with a standard display of a portable computingdevice, thereby reducing costs and increasing the mobility/portabilityof the imaging system. In some embodiments, the dongle may comprisecommon, universal, and/or non-customized display connectors such as HDMIor USB, for example, such that a common, non-customized, non-proprietarydisplay, such as a display from a mobile general purpose computingdevice may be used to display images from the device. Thus, in someembodiments, the dongle may be configured to be coupled with a mobilegeneral purpose computing device to allow a display of such a device tobe used to display images from the device. In some embodiments, thepower source may be part of the dongle.

In some embodiments, the first tube end is distal from the handle body,and the second tube end is coupled to the handle body. In someembodiments, the dongle may be coupled or coupleable to the handle body.Thus, in some embodiments, particularly in disposable embodiments, thedongle may be configured to be removed from the device and attached to anew device after disposal of the original device, or at least a portionof the original device. In other embodiments, however, the dongle may bedisposable along with the rest of the device, or at least along with therest of the disposable portion of the device.

Some embodiments may further comprise a flexible wire connector forcoupling the dongle to the handle body. Alternatively, the dongle may beelectrically coupled directly to the handle body, or another part of thedevice, without an intervening wire. For example, in some embodiments,the dongle may be plugged into the handle body, or another part of thedevice. Alternatively, the dongle may be wirelessly coupled with thedevice.

In some embodiments, the device may comprise a tip assembly that maycomprise a printed circuit board. In some such embodiments, the imagesensor may be positioned on or otherwise coupled with the printedcircuit board. In some embodiments, the light source may be spaced apartfrom the circuit board. Thus, some such embodiments may comprise aspacing mount configured to space the light source apart from thecircuit board. In some embodiments, the spacing mount itself maycomprise a printed circuit board. Alternatively, the spacing mount maysolely be configured so as to space the light source from the circuitboard and the light source may be coupled by other means to anothercircuit board.

In some embodiments, at least a portion of the medical borescope devicemay be disposable. In some such embodiments, the medical borescopedevice may be configured to limit at least one of a duration and anumber of uses of the medical borescope device to a preconfigured value.This may be accomplished, for example, by recording at least one of theduration and the number of uses on a flash memory component or anothersuch non-volatile memory component located within the medical borescopedevice. In some embodiments, this memory component may be located withina tip assembly of the device, which tip assembly may be detachable fromthe rest of the device. In some such embodiments, the memory componentmay be positioned on a printed circuit board located within the tipassembly.

In an example of a medical borescope system according to someembodiments, the system may comprise a medical borescope. The medicalborescope may comprise a handle body coupled with the tube and a lightsource positioned adjacent to the first tube end and configured togenerate light at the first tube end. The borescope may further comprisean image sensor positioned adjacent to the first tube end and a datacommunication link coupled with the image sensor.

The system may further comprise a mobile general purpose computingdevice, such as a mobile phone, tablet, or laptop computer having avisual display coupled to the medical borescope. The mobile generalpurpose computing device may comprise an image processor configured toreceive image data from the image sensor of the borescope. The visualdisplay of the mobile general purpose computing device may be configuredto display information received from the image processor.

In an example of a method for processing image data received from animage sensor positioned within a medical borescope device according tosome implementations, the method may comprise receiving image data froman image sensor positioned within a medical borescope device. The imagedata may be sent to an image processor, which image processor may belocated within either a dongle or a mobile general purpose computingdevice coupled with the medical borescope device. The image data maythen be processed using the image processor and the resulting processedimage data may be transmitted from the image processor to a visualdisplay.

Some implementations may further comprise disposing of the medicalborescope device, or disposing of at least a portion of the device.Thus, as mentioned above, some embodiments may be specificallyconfigured to be used once, or be used a predetermined number of timesand/or for a predetermined time duration. In some such embodiments, asecond medical borescope device may be coupled with either the dongle orthe mobile general purpose computing device after disposal of the firstdevice, or at least a portion of the first device. The original medicalborescope device and the second medical borescope device may, in someimplementations and embodiments, both be configured to limit at leastone of a duration and a number of uses of the medical borescope deviceto a preconfigured value. Thus, in some such embodiments andimplementations, a memory component may be configured to store cycleon/offs associated with the device and/or usage time and the device maybe configured to transmit a command upon detecting a threshold number ofuses and/or usage time to cause the device to become disabled, or tootherwise limit use of the device.

In another example of a medical borescope system according to someembodiments, the system may comprise a medical borescope comprising atube comprising a first tube end and a second tube end opposite from thefirst tube end; a light source positioned adjacent to the first tube endand configured to generate light at the first tube end; and an imagesensor positioned adjacent to the first tube end. The system may furthercomprise a data communication link coupled with the image sensor and adongle comprising an image processor configured to receive image datafrom the image sensor. The dongle may be removably coupleable with themedical borescope such that the dongle can be coupled with a pluralityof distinct medical borescopes. The dongle may further be configured toat least one of receive and detect borescope-specific parameter data,such as calibration data associated with the medical borescope and/or atleast one of a serial number and a model number associated with themedical borescope. Preferably, the borescope-specific parameter data isstored in the medical borescope and comprises data unique to the medicalborescope.

In some embodiments, at least a portion of the medical borescope deviceis disposable. In some such embodiments, the medical borescope devicemay be configured to determine at least one of a duration and a numberof uses of the medical borescope device to enforce disposability of theat least a portion of the medical borescope device. In some suchembodiments, the medical borescope device may be configured to determineat least one of the duration and the number of uses of the medicalborescope device by using the dongle to detect at least one of theduration and the number of uses. In some such embodiments, the donglemay be configured to limit at least one of the duration and the numberof uses of the medical borescope device to a threshold value by, upondetecting a use of the medical borescope device beyond the thresholdvalue, at least one of disabling the medical borescope device, providingan audible warning, providing a visible warning, and transmitting awarning signal.

In another example of a method for medical imaging according to someimplementations, the method may comprise removably coupling a donglewith a first medical borescope device. The first medical borescopedevice may be disposable, and may comprise borescope data stored on amemory component of the first medical borescope device. The method mayfurther comprise receiving at the dongle from the first medicalborescope device at least some of the borescope data. In someimplementations, all of the borescope data may be transmitted to thedongle.

The method may further comprise adjusting an operational parameter ofthe first medical borescope device using the dongle and the at leastsome of the borescope data. Image data may also be received at thedongle from an image sensor positioned within the first medicalborescope device and may be processed at the dongle using an imageprocessor positioned within the dongle. The first medical borescopedevice may then be disposed of so that the dongle may be coupled with asecond medical borescope device. The second medical borescope device mayalso comprise borescope data stored on a memory component of the secondmedical borescope device. The borescope data of the second medicalborescope device may be distinct from the borescope data of the firstmedical borescope device.

In some such implementations, the two medical borescope devices can bedistinguished from one another using their respective borescope data.Thus, in some implementations, the borescope data of the first medicalborescope device may comprise information unique to the first medicalborescope device, and the borescope data of the second medical borescopedevice comprises information unique to the second medical borescopedevice. The borescope data of the first medical borescope device maycomprise, for example, model identification data for the first medicalborescope, and the borescope data of the second medical borescope devicemay comprise model identification data for the second medical borescope.Alternatively, or additionally, the borescope data of the first medicalborescope device may comprise calibration data for the first medicalborescope, and the borescope data of the second medical borescope devicemay comprise calibration data for the second medical borescope.

Some implementations may further comprise recording usage dataassociated with the second medical borescope device. In some suchimplementations, the dongle may be used to process the usage data todetermine whether the second medical borescope device has exceeded athreshold use parameter and, upon detecting a use of the second medicalborescope device in violation of the threshold use parameter, the donglemay be used to at least one of disable the second medical borescopedevice, providing an audible warning, providing a visible warning, andtransmitting a warning signal.

In a particular example of a method for obtaining and storing usage datafrom a medical borescope according to some implementations, the methodmay comprise obtaining a medical borescope comprising a tube comprisinga first tube end and a second tube end opposite from the first tube end;a light source positioned adjacent to the first tube end and configuredto generate light at the first tube end; and an image sensor positionedadjacent to the first tube end. The method may further comprise couplinga dongle to the medical borescope, the dongle comprising an imageprocessor configured to receive image data from the image sensor. Usagedata from the medical borescope during a medical procedure may be storedon the dongle, after which the dongle may be removed from the medicalborescope. The usage data may then be accessed, such as transferred toanother computer or system, to obtain information regarding usage of themedical borescope during the medical procedure, and/or the data may bestored to a database for potential later access.

In some implementations, the dongle may comprise a memory component. Insome such implementations, the step of storing usage data may comprisestoring the usage data on the memory component. In otherimplementations, the medical borescope may comprise a memory component.In some such implementations, the step of storing usage data maycomprise storing the usage data on the memory component.

The usage data may comprise, for example, one or more of a duration ofthe medical procedure, an image associated with an unexpected eventduring the medical procedure, a time stamp associated with the medicalprocedure, a temperature measurement associated with the medicalprocedure, and a power cycle counter associated with the medicalborescope.

Some implementations may further comprise initiating at least one of aclock and a counter upon initiation of a medical procedure with themedical borescope. Some such implementations may comprise correlating atleast one time stamp from the at least one of a clock and a counter withsensory data, such as, for example, image data, temperature data,velocity data, orientation data, and the like, that is obtained duringthe medical procedure.

Some implementations may further comprise correlating the usage datawith model identification data associated with the medical borescope. Insome implementations, the model identification data may comprise atleast one of a serial number and a model number associated with themedical borescope.

Additional features and advantages of exemplary implementations of theinvention will be set forth in the description which follows, and inpart will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by thepractice of such exemplary implementations. The features and advantagesof such implementations may be realized and obtained by means of theinstruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appendedclaims. These and other features will become more fully apparent fromthe following description and appended claims, or may be learned by thepractice of such exemplary implementations as set forth hereinafter. Inaddition, the features, structures, steps, or characteristics disclosedherein in connection with one embodiment may be combined in any suitablemanner in one or more alternative embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to describe the manner in which the above-recited and otheradvantages and features of the invention can be obtained, a moreparticular description of the invention briefly described above will berendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which areillustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawingsdepict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not thereforeto be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will bedescribed and explained with additional specificity and detail throughthe use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 depicts an illustration of an laparoscopic procedure inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 depicts a laparoscope in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 3 depicts an alternate embodiment of a laparoscope;

FIG. 4A depicts a medical borescope device with a removable borescopetube in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4B depicts an embodiment of an interchangeable borescope tube;

FIG. 4C depicts another embodiment of an interchangeable borescope tube;

FIG. 5 depicts an embodiment of an interchangeable borescope tube beingconnected to a handle body;

FIG. 6A depicts an exploded view of an assembly configured to bepositioned in a tip of a borescope tube and/or to form the tip of aborescope tube in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6B depicts a cross-section of the tip of the borescope tubedepicted in FIG. 6A;

FIG. 7 depicts another embodiment of a tip of the borescope tube inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 depicts an embodiment of a laparoscope with an articulable tip;

FIG. 9 depicts a sequence of steps in a method for performing animplementation of the present invention;

FIG. 10A is an exploded view of another embodiment of a tip assemblyconfigured to be positioned within and/or to form the tip of a borescopetube;

FIG. 10B is another exploded view of the tip assembly of FIG. 10A;

FIG. 11A is a perspective view of a handle body for a borescope systemaccording to an alternative embodiment;

FIG. 11B is a side elevation view of the handle body of FIG. 11A;

FIG. 12A is a perspective view of a borescope system according toanother alternative embodiment;

FIG. 12B is a close-up view of the tip of the borescope of the borescopesystem illustrated in FIG. 12A.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart illustrating an example of a method for use of aborescope system according to some implementations.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Embodiments disclosed herein may comprise systems, methods, andapparatus configured to provide medical professionals with a highlyportable medical borescope system (e.g., laparoscope or endoscopesystem) that may eliminate the need for an external light source orbulky and/or customized video imaging processing equipment. Someembodiments may comprise a laparoscope body that is disposable orsuitable for single use or a limited number of uses (e.g., 10 uses). Insome embodiments, the system may further comprise a portable imageprocessing dongle in communication with the laparoscope. The dongle mayoutput the video image to a display. The dongle can include one or morecommon display connectors such as HDMI, USB, and/or Lightning connectorsfor attaching a non-proprietary display or connecting a proprietarydisplay through a universal connector.

The mobility and/or disposability of the laparoscope is achieved byplacing an LED and image sensor within the body of the laparoscope(i.e., within the portion of the laparoscope that is placed in thesterile field of the patient).

Accordingly, implementations disclosed herein may allow medicalprofessionals to utilize medical borescope technologies in a variety ofdifferent locations, including in the field. Additionally, someimplementations may allow a medical professional to use a single medicalborescope system to efficiently perform a variety of different medicalborescope procedures. For example, a medical professional can use thesame medical borescope system to perform both endoscopic procedures andlaparoscopic procedures. As such, some implementations may providesignificant benefits in third world countries and countries withotherwise deficient medical services by providing a low-cost and highlytransportable medical borescope system.

Additionally, some implementations can be easily incorporated into awide variety of different medical systems. For example, manyconventional surgical suites comprise highly integrated systems thatonly communicate with medical devices from a single manufacturer orgroup of manufacturers. In contrast, some implementations disclosedherein may provide for communication to a single dongle device, whichperforms the necessary image processing and provides output ports thatcommunicate through a variety of different universal protocols, such asHDMI, VGA, USB, DISPLAY PORT, MINI DISPLAY PORT, and other commonprotocols. Accordingly, some implementations may allow a medicalborescope system to communicate with a variety of conventional devicessuch as a standard high definition television, a tablet computer, adesktop computer, and or any other display device that comprisescommonly used communication ports.

FIG. 1 depicts an illustration of a laparoscopic procedure in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention. In particular, FIG. 1depicts a laparoscopic procedure being performed on a patient 140 usingan implementation of a laparoscopic system 100 in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. Specifically, a laparoscope 110 isbeing inserted into port 150 within the patient's 140 abdomen. Thelaparoscope 110 is in communication with a dongle 120, which dongle 120is transmitting image data to a television display 130. The transmittedimage data can comprise information that is received from thelaparoscope 110 that is inserted within the patient's 140 abdomen.

In at least one embodiment, the dongle 120 can comprise one or morecommon output ports. For example, the dongle 120 may be in communicationwith the television display 130 through an HDMI port. As such, thetelevision display 130 need not be a specially designed component, butcan instead be an off-the-shelf television set. Similarly, the dongle120 can comprise a common computer input/output port, such as a USBport. As such, the dongle 120 can be in communication with an externalcomputing device through the USB port. Accordingly, the dongle 120 canprovide a communications port that communicates to a general-purposecomputer or mobile device, such as a tablet or smartphone, and does notrequire a proprietary processing stack.

Additionally, the dongle 120 can comprise an integrated processing unit.In at least one implementation, the integrated processing unit cancomprise a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a microcontroller, aprogrammable integrated circuit, and/or any other type of processingunit. The processing unit can be configured to receive image data fromthe laparoscope 110 and perform various processing functions on theimage data. For example, the processing unit can format image data tovarious video and image formats that are readable by the devices thatcan connect to the dongle 120 through the dongle's various ports.

The processing unit may also be configured to perform various imageprocessing tasks on the received image data. For instance, theprocessing unit may perform color interpolation operations, colorsaturation and correction operations, noise filtering, gamma correction,and other similar image processing functions on the received image data.

In one embodiment, the processing unit performs white balancing. Thewhite balance may be pre-calibrated based on the known light spectrum ofthe LED used in the borescope. The processing unit may also include oneor more buttons for user controlled white balance, exposure, gain, zoom,or a macro setting.

In some embodiments, the processing unit may also include a userinterface (UI) module for generating display information to betransmitted to the display. For example, one or more of the settings ofthe borescope may be displayed as an image on the display such that theuser can observe and/or change the settings. Generating the UI from theprocessing unit allows the video image to be displayed on generic TVs ormonitors.

As depicted in FIG. 1, some embodiments may comprise a medical borescopesystem that is highly mobile and highly compatible with commonlyavailable devices. For example, in contrast to requiring a customizedmedical suite containing a proprietary processing stack, implementationof medical borescope systems as depicted in FIG. 1 can communicate withstandard television displays, and only require a small, easily portabledongle for processing. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the artwill appreciate the benefit that such a system can provide medicallyimpoverished areas and field hospitals where expensive and heavyequipment is not easily accessible.

In some embodiments, the laparoscope may be configured such that it doesnot connect to an external light source. The light source forlaparoscopic system 100 may instead be positioned within the laparoscope110. In some such embodiments, the light source may be positioned at thedistal end of the laparoscope 110 to directly illuminate the subject'stissue. In some embodiments, the illumination may be provided withoutthe use of a light pipe or fiber optics, which reduces the complexity ofthe lighting system and avoids diffusion of light.

Continuing with the figures, FIG. 2 depicts a laparoscopic system 100 inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The depictedlaparoscopic system 100 includes a laparoscope 110 and a dongle 120. Thedepicted laparoscope 110 further includes a borescope tube 210 connectedto a handle body 200. The handle body 200 can comprise one or more inputcomponents 212 a, 212 b. The input components 212 a, 212 b can be usedby a medical professional to adjust various attributes of received imagedata in real time. For example, a medical professional may be able tomanipulate white balance, focus, or zoom using a sliding switch or knob212 a, 212 b that is positioned on the handle body 200 for easy access.In other embodiments, the laparoscope 110 may have no user actuatedfeatures (e.g., no buttons), which reduces the cost and complexity ofcleaning and sterilization. In this embodiment, various aspects of thedevice may be controlled by a processing unit.

In some embodiments, handle 200 may comprise a shape, feature, orelement that allows a user, by tactile feel or visual inspection forexample, to easily determine which side of the device is up and whichside is down. For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 2, a notch 202 isprovided so that a user can grab handle 200 and immediately and/oreasily feel which side is up, which may be useful in providing images ata desired orientation. Other embodiments are contemplated in which notch202 may be replaced with another feature or element, such as aprotrusion or the like. Alternatively, handle 200 may comprise anon-symmetrical shape, such as is shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 11Aand 11B, which is discussed in greater detail below. Such a shape mayallow a user to hold the handle and be able to determine based upontactile feel alone, whether the device is being held in a preferredrotational orientation. In still other embodiments, a visible element,such as an image, marking, or the like, may be provided on just one sideof the handle 200 to allow for immediate visual confirmation of therotational orientation of the device. Notch 202, along with the otherelements, features, or components mentioned herein that allow a surgeonor other user to determine, by visual inspection and/or tactile feel, arotational orientation of the handle, are all examples of means forconfirming a rotational orientation of a borescope handle.

In the depicted embodiment, the laparoscope 110 is in communication witha dongle 120 through a wired connection. As shown, the dongle 120 can bepositioned communicatively intermediate the laparoscope 110 and adisplay device. In various embodiments, the dongle 120 can comprise avariety of different size and form factors. For example, the dongle 120can comprise any dimensions that result in a volume equal to or lessthan 16 cubic inches. In contrast, on the lower end, the dongle 120 cancomprise any dimensions that result in a volume of equal to or greaterthan 1 cubic inch. Further, the dongle 120 can comprise a volume between2 cubic inches and 14 cubic inches, 4 cubic inches and 12 cubic inches,6 cubic inches and 10 cubic inches, or 8 cubic inches and 9 cubicinches.

As disclosed above, the dongle 120 can comprise a processing unit thatis configured to perform various image processing tasks. For example,the image processing unit may format received image data into formatsthat are readable at various output ports 230 a, 230 b. The dongle 120can also comprise a multicasting module that enables the delivery ofdata simultaneously to multiple output devices. For example, the dongle120 may be able to output image data to a plurality of high definitiontelevision displays that are positioned at different locations around amedical room. Additionally, the multicast module may be configured tobroadcast simultaneously over a plurality of different output port typesdisposed on the dongle 120. For example, the multicast module maytransmit the image data simultaneously over both an HDMI output port anda VGA out port. As such, a plurality of different display types can beconnected to the dongle 120 and receive from the dongle 120 the sameinformation over each respective output port type. In some embodiments,image data may be simultaneously unicast or multicast over a network,such as an Ethernet, WIFI, or fiber optic network, for example.

The dongle 120 may be connected to the laparoscope 110 and/or thedisplay 130 (FIG. 1) using cords of a particular length to minimize cordtangling but place the dongle in a desired location relative to thepatient. For example, in some embodiments, the cords are selected toplace the dongle outside the sterile field. In some embodiments the datacable between the laparoscope and the dongle may be greater than 2, 4,or 6 feet and/or less than 14, 12, or 10 feet, or within a range of theforegoing. In some embodiments, the dongle may be connected to a monitorwith a cord that is less than 14, 10, 8, 4, 2, or even 1 foot. Thedongle may be encased in a protective casing (e.g., rubber casing) thatprotects the dongle sufficiently to place it on the floor where it maybe stepped on. Alternatively the dongle may include a clip for attachingthe dongle to a bedpost. Additional alternative means for coupling thedongle to an exterior device or element may comprise screws and/ormounting plates for coupling the dongle to a monitor or mounting thedongle on a standard rack.

Additionally, in at least one implementation, the dongle 120 cancomprise an electrical outlet 220 that is configured to provide power tothe dongle 120, the laparoscope 110, and/or a display. In alternateembodiments, the dongle 120 can comprise an integrated power source,such as a battery 125, as illustrated in FIG. 4A, that may be used topower the dongle 120 and/or the laparoscope 110. In some embodiments,battery 125 may be rechargeable. Further still, in at least oneimplementation, the dongle 120 can comprise a port that can communicatewith and receive power from an external device, for example, a USB portin communication with a computer.

FIG. 3 depicts an alternative embodiment of a laparoscopic system. Inthis implementation, the laparoscopic system 100 comprises analternative shape for a handle body 200, alternate configurations forthe input components 212 a, 212 b, and a mobile computing device 300,instead of a dongle. In alternate embodiments, instead of a mobilecomputing device 300, the laparoscopic system 100 may be incommunication with a desktop computer.

In at least one embodiment, the mobile computing device 300 may comprisea tablet computer, a smart phone, or a laptop computer. The mobilecomputing device 300 can be configured to perform various imageprocessing tasks on the image data received from the laparoscopic system100. For example, the mobile computing device 300 can provide variousviewing features, image editing features, video and image storagefeatures, data sharing features, and other similar computer enabledfunctions. Additionally, when a medical professional makes adjustmentsto the input components 212 a, 212 b the adjustments may be received bythe mobile computing device 300, which can initiate any necessaryadjustments that need to be made within the laparoscopic system 100 toexecute the adjustments received from the medical professional.

In order to communicate with the laparoscopic system 100, the mobilecomputing device 300 may comprise a custom software application. Thesoftware application may be configured to communicate with thelaparoscopic system 100 and to provide various laparoscopic specificfunctions. Additionally, the software application may comprise astreaming functionality that allows the images received by the mobilecomputing device 300 to be streamed to a remote location. In this way, amedical professional can participate virtually in the laparoscopicprocedure, even if that medical professional is at a remote location.

Turning now to FIGS. 4A-4C, FIG. 4A depicts an implementation of alaparoscope with a removable borescope tube in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. The system 100 depicted in FIG. 4Acomprises a borescope tube 210, a handle body 200, and a dongle 120, asrecited above. Additionally, in some embodiments, the laparoscopicsystem 100 may comprise an interchangeable borescope 210. For example,the borescope 210 of FIG. 4A includes an interchangeable tube portion400 and an attachment point 430. In particular, the interchangeable tubeportion 400 of FIG. 4A comprises a laparoscope tube 400 of a specificdiameter and length.

FIGS. 4B and 4C depict various embodiments of interchangeable tubeportions 410, 420. Interchangeable tube portion 410 comprises alaparoscopic tube portion 410 that is of a longer and narrower dimensionthan laparoscopic tube portion 400 depicted in FIG. 4A. In contrast tothe laparoscopic tubes 400, 410 depicted in FIGS. 4A and 4B, FIG. 4Cdepicts an endoscope tube portion 420. Both the laparoscopic tubeportion 410 in FIG. 4B and the endoscopic tube portion 420 in FIG. 4Ccan communicate with the same attachment point 430.

In some embodiments, one or more tube portions may comprise anon-conductive material, such as a plastic or ceramic material, that mayserve as a shield from other devices, such as cauterization devices orother electrosurgical devices. Such material may make up the entire tubeportion, or a portion of the tube. In some embodiments, a shielding tubemay be positioned concentrically over another tube. In some embodiments,other shielding techniques/features, such as a Faraday cage, may beincorporated within or otherwise adjacent to the non-conductive tube ortube portion.

Accordingly, in some implementations, a medical professional can choosebetween a variety of different tube portions to meet the needs of aparticular procedure. For example, an embodiment of a borescope systemas depicted in FIG. 4A can perform laparoscopic procedures that requirea variety of different borescope lengths, diameters, stiffnesses,material types (e.g., steel, plastic, etc.), and/or surgical toolsintegrated into the laparoscope. In at least one implementation, thelaparoscope tube portions can also be available in a variety ofdifferent levels of deformability, such that particular laparoscope tubeportions are rigid, while others comprise significant flexibility.

Similarly, some implementations can perform a variety of differentendoscopic procedures that likewise require different borescopeattributes. For example, in some embodiments and implementations, asingle medical borescope system may be used with endoscopes that aresized for infants, children, and/or adults. Additionally, variousdifferent features and abilities can be incorporated into the individualendoscopes such that a medical practitioner can select a particularendoscope tube based upon the optics in the tool, specific surgicaltools incorporated into the tool, specific sensors incorporated into thetool, dimensions of the tool, material of construction, and/or othersimilar features and abilities.

Additionally, implementations of a borescope system as disclosed inFIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C provide a system where the individual borescopeportions 400, 410, 420 can also be easily sterilized and clean. Forexample, in at least one implementation, the borescope portions 400,410, 420, are disposable after each procedure, such that new, sterilizedborescope portions 400, 410, 420 are used for each procedure. In analternate embodiment, the borescope tube portions 400, 410, 420 areremovable such that they can easily be cleaned and sterilized.

While FIG. 4A depicts an attachment point 430 that extends from thehandle body 200, in at least one implementation, the borescope tubeportions 400, 410, 420 interchangeably connect directly to the handlebody 200. In either case, the attachment point 430 may be located suchthat no portion of the attachment point will come in contact withnon-sterile surfaces. In this way, the contact point 430 and the handlebody 200 may not require the same level of sterilization as theborescope tube portions 400, 410, 420.

Further, in a least one implementation, the borescope tube portions 400,410, 420 are integrated into a single structure such that the borescopetube portions 400, 410, 420 may not removable from the handle body 200.In this case, the handle body 200 can be interchangeably connected to adongle 120. As such, various types of laparoscopes and endoscopes,including their respective handle bodies 200, can be interchangeablyconnected to a single dongle 120.

FIG. 5 depicts an implementation of an interchangeable borescope tubebeing connected to a handle body in accordance with another embodiment.In particular, FIG. 5 depicts a borescope tube 210 and a handle body 200being connected through a pin and latch connection 500. The pin andlatch connection 500 may comprise one or more pins 510 that extend fromthe body of the borescope tube 210. The one or more pins 510 may bereceivable by one or more latches 520 that are formed within a receivinghole 530 in the handle body 200. The one or more pins 510 and the one ormore latches 520 may be spaced apart such that each of the one or morepins 510 is only receivable by specific latches 520, thus requiring theborescope tube 210 to have a particular orientation with respect to thehandle body 200.

Various alternate embodiments may comprise connectors other than a pinand latch connection 500. For example, the borescope tube 210 and thehandle body 200 can be connected through a threaded connection, a clampconnection, a press fit connection, or any other common connection type.In at least one implementation, it may be desirable for the connectiontype to limit rotational movement between the borescope tube 210 and thehandle body 200. This may be necessary to prevent the borescope tube 210from disconnecting from the handle body 200 when in use.

In at least one implementation, the borescope tube 210 can also compriseelectrical connection points 540 disposed around a bottom portion of theborescope tube 210. The electrical connection points 540 can beconfigured to receive power from the handle body 200 and to provide acommunication path between the instruments within the borescope tube 210and components within the handle body 200. While the electricalconnection points 540 are depicted as electrically conductive contactpads disposed around a bottom circumference of the borescope tube 210,in other implementations, the electrical connection points 540 can bepositioned anywhere where the borescope tube 210 contacts the handlebody 200. Additionally, the electrical connection points 540 cancomprise pin and socket connections, magnetic connections, inductiveconnections, and any other common connection type. Similarly, if fiberoptics or some other communication medium is used, proper connectionpoints can also be incorporated into the borescope tube 210 and handlebody 200.

FIGS. 6A-6B and FIG. 7 depict an embodiment of a tip 600 of a borescopetube in accordance with another embodiment. The depicted tip 600comprises the portion of the borescope tube that is distal from thehandle body 200, and is the portion of the borescope that is foremostinserted into a patient. The tip 600 can comprise various featuresincluding one or more LED lights 610, image sensors 620, through ports670, and other medical borescope components. In at least one embodiment,the one or more LEDs 610 can comprise a variety of different colors andintensities. The different LEDs 610 may be individually addressable andcontrollable by a medical professional or may be automaticallycontrolled by a processing unit within the borescope tube, within thehandle body 200, or within the dongle 120.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate example componentry that can be used in a tip600 of a borescope according to some embodiments of the invention. FIG.6A illustrates an exploded view and FIG. 6B illustrates a cutaway view.A tip 600 includes a housing 614, lens assembly 611, cover glass 635,light emitting diode (LED) 610, wiring 616, spacing mount 617, imagesensor 620, printed circuit board (PCB) 640 and assembly screw 623.Sensor 620 may be mounted directly to PCB 640 and PCB 640 may be mountedto housing 614 to secure PCB 640. Lens assembly 611 includes an opticalcomponent 530 (i.e., a lens) that is mounted a particular distance fromimage sensor 620 to provide proper focus. Threads 613 allow lensassembly 611 to be moved relative to housing 614 to change the spacing621 between image sensor 620 and optical element 530. Cover glass 635may be sealed to housing 614 to prevent fluids in a patient fromcontacting lens assembly 611. Cover glass 635 may also protect lensassembly from being bumped, which (if not protected) could move the lensout of focus.

The image sensor 620 can comprise a custom-made CMOS sensor, anoff-the-shelf CMOS sensor, or any other digital image capture device.Additionally, the image sensor 620 can be configured to capture imagesand video in a variety of different resolutions, including, but notlimited to 720p, 720i, 1080p, 1080i, and other similar high resolutionformats. The image sensor 620 may also comprise a pixel size greaterthan 0.8 μm, 1 μm, or 2 μm and/or less than 4 μm, 3 μm, 2 μm, or withina range of any of the foregoing upper and lower sizes.

LED 610 may be mounted to housing 614. In a preferred embodiment, LED610 is mounted essentially flush with the end of housing 614 so as tominimize tunneling of the light. LED 610 may be mounted off of PCB 640to facilitate placing LED 610 flush with housing 614. For example, LED610 may be within 3 mm, 2 mm, or 1 mm of the end of housing 614.Mounting LED 610 off of PCB 640 can be achieved using a wire 616 topower LED 610. LED 610 may be mounted to housing 614 using an opticallypure epoxy or other suitable methods. A cover glass may also be usedover LED 610 (not shown).

In some embodiments, LED 610 may be mounted to PCB 640 and a light guidemay be used to channel light to an opening in distal end of tip 600. Inone embodiment, the light guide may be less than 20 cm, 10 cm, 5 cm or 2cm. The LED 610 is preferably placed in tip 600, but with the use of alight pipe may also be placed at an intermediate location within theborescope tube or within the handle of the borescope. However, the LED610 is placed within the borescope such that no external cables to alight source need to be attached. Placing the LED 610 within theborescope minimizes the distance the light has to travel and eliminatesthe possibility of a light source with a different emission spectrumfrom being attached. The LED 610 embedded in the borescope can then bewhite balanced at the time of manufacturing to ensure proper tissuecolor with minimal or no input from the user.

The portion of housing 614 that surrounds LED 610 is used to opticallyisolate LED 610 from lateral exposure of light to image sensor 620. Forexample, LED 610 is isolated laterally from cover glass 635. Thisisolation prevents light from diffusing or reflecting back into coverglass 635 or image sensor 620 prior to being reflected off tissue.Because of the close proximity of the LED 610 and image sensor 620 thisisolation is important to achieve a usable signal to noise ratio. LED610 is preferably mounted distal to image sensor 620 and even morepreferably distal to cover glass 635.

In at least one implementation, the LEDs 610 and image sensor 620 can beattached to a common printed circuit board 640. The LEDs 610 and imagesensor 620 can communicate to the handle body 200 through one or morewires. Additionally, the LEDs 610 and image sensor 620 can receive powerthrough the plurality of wires. In a preferred embodiment image sensor620 and/or PCB 640 can preprocess pixel data and output a serializeddata stream that can be transmitted over a relatively large distance(e.g., greater than 50, 75, or 100 cm). In a preferred embodiment theimage data output from tip 600 is serialized data from a MIPI or LVDSinterface. The image data may be at least 8 or at least 12 bit, and thedata may be RGB data or Bayer data.

Various embodiments of the present invention can provide a variety ofoptic configurations. For example, in at least one embodiment, theoptics can be configured as a fixed-zero degree lens 630 with a smallaperture, such that the optics comprise a high depth of field.Additionally, the optics can be configured such that it focuses at 10 cminstead of at 1 m, which is typical of many conventional CMOS opticalsystems. In particular, the optics may comprise approximately a 90degree field of view with approximately a 15 mm near depth of field, andapproximately a 100 mm far depth of field.

Additionally, in at least one embodiment, the optics may comprise afish-eye lens or a wide-angle lens. In such an embodiment, the dongle120 may also comprise image processing components configured to smoothout the images received from a wide-angle lens or a fish-eye lens suchthat at least a portion of the distortion from the lens is removed fromthe final image. In at least one embodiment, interchangeable borescopetubes are available with a variety of different optics, such that amedical practitioner can select a particular borescope tube based upondesired optical properties.

In at least one implementation, the borescope has a fixed lens with adepth of field that spans a range of at least 30 cm, 50 cm, or 70 cm,and/or less than 120 cm, 100 cm, or 90 cm and/or within a range of theforegoing. The bottom of the focal range may be less than 20 cm, 15 cm10 cm, or 5 cm and the upper boundary of the focal range may be greaterthan 50 cm, 70 mm, 90 cm, or 110 cm. For purposes of this disclosure,the lens may be considered in focus where the lens produces a spot sizeof less than 2 pixels.

The F# of the lens is selected to provide sufficient light at theselected depth of field. The lens may have an F# greater than or equalto 2.5, 3.5, 5.5, 7.5, or 10.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show a scope with a zero degree angle. However, the lensmay also have an angled lens (i.e., relative to the axis of theborescope tube). The lens angle may be greater than or equal to 15, 25,or 45 degrees and/or less than or equal to 65, 50, or 35 degrees. Theangle for the field of view may be greater than 60, 75, or 90 degreesand/or less than 110, 100, or 90, or within a range of the foregoing. Inone embodiment, the optics system can comprise a focal length ofapproximately 2 mm and an F# of approximately 2.4.

In some embodiments, software image rotation may be used to preserve apreferred orientation of the image on the display while the user rotatesthe scope. In some such embodiments, the system and/or device may beconfigured such that image rotation may be controlled on the device,such as by way of a dial on the handle. In some embodiments, one or morerotation, orientation, and/or tilt sensors, such as accelerometers, maybe provided to facilitate desired image orientation/rotation.

FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment having three LEDs circumferential toimage sensor 620. A through port 670 may comprise a passageway thatextends at least partially up the length of the medical borescope tube.In at least one embodiment, the through port 670 can be configured toallow a medical professional to insert a medical tool through thethrough port 670 and into a patient. For example, a medical professionalmay insert a biopsy tool through the through port 670 such that aparticular tissue, identified by the borescope, can be removed forbiopsy.

In addition to providing various optics that influence a medicalpractitioners view within a patient, in some embodiments, a medicalborescope may comprise an articulable portion. For example, FIG. 8depicts another embodiment of a laparoscope having an articulable tip.Specifically, the borescope tube 210 comprises an articulation point 800that allows the tip 600 to be pointed in a direction other than parallelto the borescope tube 210. In at least one implementation, thearticulation point 800 can articulate up to 90 degrees in any directionwith respect to the borescope tube 210. As such, the tip 600 can bemobile within a complete hemisphere extending radially outward from thearticulation point 800.

While various different schemes for controlling the articulation of thetip 600 can be used, as an exemplary scheme, one or more sliders 810 canbe positioned along the handle body 200. In at least one embodiment, theslider(s) 810 can be positioned near one or more input components 212 a,212 b that can manipulate various attributes of images received throughthe medical borescope. Each of the sliders 810 can be configured toarticulate the articulation point 800 along a single respective axis. Assuch, a medical professional, in some embodiments using a combination ofsliders 810, can position the tip 600 to be aligned with any point alonga hemisphere that extends outward from the articulation point 800.

By controlling the articulation of the tip 600 of the borescope within apatient, a medical practitioner can more easily view various surfaceswithin the patient. This may provide particular benefit in a fixed lenssystem—where otherwise the field of view may be limited to directlyforward from the tip 600.

Accordingly, FIGS. 1 through 8 and the corresponding text illustrate orotherwise describe one or more methods, systems, and/or apparatus forutilizing a medical borescope that comprises interchangeable borescopetubes and digital image sensors within a tip of the borescope tube.Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that theimplementations of the present invention can also be described in termsof methods comprising one or more acts or steps for accomplishing aparticular result. For example, FIG. 9 illustrates flowcharts of asequence of acts in a method for processing image data received from amedical borescope instrument. The acts/steps of FIG. 9 are describedbelow with reference to the components and modules illustrated in FIGS.1 through 8.

For example, FIG. 9 illustrates a flow chart for implementation of amethod for processing image data received from a medical borescopeinstrument, which method can comprise an act 900 of serializing imagedata. Act 900 includes serializing image data received from an imagesensor, wherein the image sensor is disposed in a first end of a medicalborescope tube. For example, FIG. 6A depicts a tip 600 of a medicalborescope tube 210 that comprises an image sensor 620. Informationreceived through the image sensor 620 is serialized before beingtransmitted down the medical borescope tube 210.

FIG. 9 also shows that the method can comprise an act 910 oftransmitting image data. Act 910 includes transmitting the serializedimage data down the medical borescope tube to a second end of themedical borescope tube. For example, FIG. 6A depicts electricalcommunication pathways connecting the image sensor to a second end ofthe medical borescope tube 210.

Additionally, FIG. 9 shows that the method can comprise an act 920 ofdeserializing image data. Act 920 can include deserializing the imagedata at an image processor, wherein the image processor is locatedwithin a dongle that is in communication with the image sensor. Forexample, FIG. 2 depicts a dongle 120 in communication with a laparoscope110. The dongle 120 comprises an image processor that receives datatransmitted from an image sensor 620 and deserializes the received data.

FIG. 9 also shows that the method can comprise act 930 of interpolatingcolor. Act 930 includes interpolating color from the image data usingthe image processor. For example, FIG. 2 depicts a dongle 120 incommunication with the laparoscope 110. The dongle 120 comprises animage processor that is configured to interpolate color information fromthe image data that is received from the image sensor 620.

In addition, FIG. 9 shows that the method can comprise act 940 ofcorrecting color saturation. Act 940 includes correcting colorsaturation using the image processor. For example, FIG. 2 depicts adongle in communication with the laparoscope 110. The dongle 120comprises an image processor that is configured to correct colorsaturation within the image data that is received from the image sensor620.

FIG. 9 also shows that the method can comprise act 950 of filtering outnoise. Act 950 can include filtering noise out of the image data usingthe image processor. For example, FIG. 2 depicts a dongle incommunication with the laparoscope 110. The dongle 120 comprises animage processor that is configured to filter noise out of the image datathat is received from the image sensor 620.

Further, FIG. 9 shows that the method can comprise act 960 of gammaencoding the image. Act 960 can include gamma encoding the image datausing the image processor. For example, FIG. 2 depicts a dongle incommunication with the laparoscope 110. The dongle may comprise an imageprocessor that is configured to gamma encode the image data that isreceived from the image sensor 620.

Further still, FIG. 9 shows that the method can include act 970 ofconverting image data. Act 970 can include converting the image datafrom RGB to YUV. For example, FIG. 2 depicts a dongle in communicationwith the laparoscope 110. The dongle may comprise an image processorthat is configured to convert RGB data received from the image sensor620 into YUV data.

In addition, to the implementation depicted in FIG. 9, in at least oneimplementation, instead of processing the data using an image processordisposed within the dongle 120, the data can be sent from the imagesensor to a mobile computing device, such as a tablet. In thisembodiment, the tablet can be used to perform the necessary imageprocessing and image display.

FIGS. 10A and 10B are exploded views of another embodiment of a tipassembly 1000 configured to be positioned within and/or to form the tipof a borescope tube. In the depicted embodiment, tip assembly 1000 isconfigured to be inserted into the distal end of a tube by insertinginternal collar 1022 of housing 1014. Of course, a variety ofalternative embodiments are contemplated, such as inserting assembly1000 around the exterior of a borescope tube or otherwise couplingassembly 1000 with a distal end of a borescope tube.

As with tip assembly 600, tip assembly 1000 may be coupled with a handlebody, such as handle body 200, and would typically comprise the portionof the borescope that is initially inserted into a patient. Tip assembly1000 comprises one or more light sources 1010, such as LED lights, oneor more image sensors 1020, and/or other medical borescope components.Light sources 1010 may be manually controllable by a medicalprofessional or may be automatically controlled by a processing unitwithin the borescope tube, the handle body, a dongle, and/or a mobile,general purpose, computing device, such as a mobile phone or tabletcomputer.

Tip assembly 1000 further comprises a printed circuit board (PCB) 1040.Image sensor(s) 1020 may be directly coupled with PCB 1040. However,light source(s) 1010 may be spaced apart from PCB 1040. Moreparticularly, light source(s) 1010 may be positioned on a spacing mount1017 that is configured to physically separate light source(s) 1010 fromPCB 1040 and/or position light source(s) 1010 more closely to the distalend of the tip. In some preferred embodiments, light source(s) 1010 maybe positioned so as to be flush, or at least substantially flush, withthe distal end of the housing 1014 and/or the tip assembly 1000 itself.This may be useful in preventing a shadowing effect or otherwisecreating a better image. Thus, in the depicted embodiment, lightsource/LED 1010 is positioned within a cavity 1019 (see FIG. 10B) formedwithin housing 1014. The perimeter of housing 1014 defining cavity 1019may be flush with a distal end of tip assembly 1000.

Tip assembly 1000 further comprises a lens assembly 1011, cover glass1035, and one or more fasteners, such as fasteners 1018 and 1023, whichmay be used to secure various components of assembly 1000 in place. Oneor more lenses or other optical components may be positioned within alens cavity 1012 formed within lens assembly 1011 to provide desiredfocusing for image sensor 1020. Lens assembly 1011 may be positionedwithin a lens housing cavity 1015 formed within housing 1014. In someembodiments, threads, such as threads 613 in assembly 600, may beprovided to allow lens assembly 1011 to be moved relative to housing1014 to change the spacing between image sensor 1020 and the lens withinlens assembly 1011.

Cover glass 1035 may be sealed to housing 1014 to prevent fluids fromcontacting lens assembly 1011 or otherwise entering tip assembly 1000,and may also serve a protective function. In the depicted embodiment,cover glass 1035 is specifically configured to cover the lens (in lensassembly 1011) and its associated image sensor 1020 without alsocovering light source/LED 1010. This may be useful to avoid havingreflected light from the light source/LED 1010 enter the image sensor1020 and blur the resulting image.

The portion of housing 1014 that surrounds light source/LED 1010 may beused to optically isolate light source/LED 1010 from lateral exposure oflight to image sensor 1020. For example, as mentioned above, lightsource/LED 1010 is isolated from cover glass 1035 to prevent light frombeing reflected into image sensor 1020 prior to being reflected off oftissue. In addition, as also mentioned above, light source/LED ispreferably set apart from PCB 1040 on which image sensor 1020 may bemounted, to further improve image quality. In some embodiments, lightsource/LED 1010 may be positioned distally relative to image sensor 1020and also distally relative to cover glass 1035. However, in otherembodiments, light source/LED 1010 may be positioned flush with, or evenrecessed/proximal with respect to, cover glass 1035.

Thus, the depicted embodiment comprises two transparent mediumsphysically separated from one another, one of which covers the lensand/or image sensor 1020 (cover glass 1035) and the other of whichcovers the light source/LED 1010. In the depicted embodiment, thetransparent medium covering light source/LED 1010 may comprise an epoxythat encases the light source/LED 1010. However, other embodiments arecontemplated in which a separate transparent cover is positioneddistally of light source/LED 1010, such as at the distal end of cavity1019 flush with the distal end of housing 1014. Still other embodimentsare contemplated in which light source/LED 1010 is sealed adjacent to anexterior surface of assembly 1000 such that a transparent light sourcecover is not needed. However, it is preferred that whatever cover isused does not extend over both the light source and the lens/imagesensor, as previously mentioned, to avoid reflection blurring.

Image sensor 1020 may comprise a CMOS sensor or any other image sensoravailable to one of ordinary skill in the art, and may be configured tocapture images and/or video in a variety of different resolutions,including, but not limited to 720p, 720i, 1080p, 1080i, and othersimilar high resolution formats.

As mentioned above, light source/LED 1010 may be mounted to housing1014. In preferred embodiments, light source/LED 1010 may be mountedflush, or at least substantially flush, with the end of housing 1014(which may also coincide with the end of assembly 1000 in someembodiments) so as to minimize tunneling of light. However, in otherembodiments, light source/LED 1010 may be recessed from, or may extendbeyond, the distal end of housing 1014 and/or the distal end of assembly1000.

In some embodiments, the light source/LED 1010 and image sensor 1020 maybe coupled with the same PCB 1040. In such embodiments, it may be usefulto still physically separate the light source/LED 1010 from the PCB1040, as mentioned above. However, in other embodiments, a different PCBmay be provided for the light source/LED 1010 and image sensor 1020. Forexample, in some embodiments, spacing mount 1017 may also, oralternatively, comprise a PCB such that light source/LED 1010 and imagesensor 1020 are electrically coupled with distinct PCBs. In suchembodiments, spacing mount 1017 may serve as both a PCB and as a meansfor spacing the light source/LED 1010 apart from the other PCB 1040 uponwhich the image sensor 1020 may be positioned.

One or more of the PCBs, such as spacing mount/PCB 1017 and/or PCB 1040,may comprise a component, such as flash memory component 1042 or othernon-volatile memory component, that may be configured to record theduration and/or number of uses of the device. This feature may be usedto prevent or at least inhibit uses of a disposable component (in someembodiments, the entire borescope device other than a dongle for imageprocessing) of the device beyond a preconfigured number or timeduration.

Thus, for example, in some embodiments, the memory component may beconfigured to store cycle on/offs associated with the device and may beconfigured to transmit a command upon detecting a threshold number ofuses to cause the device to become disabled, or to otherwise limit useof the device. Similarly, in other embodiments, the memory component maybe configured to track and/or record the duration of time during whichthe device is on and/or being operated. The device may be configured toreceive a command upon detecting a threshold time duration of use tocause the device to become disabled, or to otherwise limit use of thedevice.

In some embodiments, the threshold may be a single use. In other words,some embodiments may be specifically configured to allow for use of thedevice in a single procedure, and may then preclude, or at leastinhibit, attempts at further uses.

In alternative embodiments, the memory component may be locatedelsewhere within the tip assembly 1000, or elsewhere within theborescope device. In some embodiments, the tip assembly may comprisesmart chips, electronic counters, or time-based lockouts to provide anindication of usage times and/or durations. Such data may then be storedin the tip assembly, such as on a flash memory component or othernon-volatile memory component on a PCB within the tip assembly.

Steps of a method for detecting a threshold number and/or duration ofuse, and/or steps of a method for disabling or otherwise limiting use ofthe device upon detecting the threshold may be implemented usingmachine-readable instructions stored on a non-transitory,machine-readable media, which may be located in the tip/device or,alternatively, on the dongle or a general purpose mobile computingdevice.

In some embodiments, the dongle may be configured to limit use of theborescope in response to receiving and/or detecting a particularcondition, such as a use condition exceeding a threshold. Thus, in someembodiments, the dongle may be configured to query the borescope and, inresponse to detecting or determining that, for example, at least one ofa threshold duration and a threshold number of uses of the borescopedevice has been exceeded disabling the borescope, providing an audiblewarning, providing a visible warning, and/or transmitting a warningsignal to attempt to inhibit or prevent further use of the borescope.

In some embodiments, usage data may be stored on the dongle instead of,or in addition to, in the borescope device itself. Thus, the dongle maybe configured to receive usage data, such as the number of hours, numberof power cycles, time stamps, etc., from the borescope or,alternatively, may be configured to detect some or all of this data onits own. For example, in some embodiments, the dongle may be configuredto detect a power up or power cycle and initiate a timer or clock. Upondetecting a power down or second power cycle, the dongle may beconfigured to stop the timer/clock. In this manner, data need not bestored on the borescope itself, which may limit cost, particularly fordisposable medical borescope devices.

This usage data, whether generated at the borescope or the dongle, maysimply be stored for record keeping or, alternatively, may be configuredto result in one or more actions, as described above, such as upondetecting a threshold condition.

In some embodiments, other instructions, settings, or data mayalternatively, or additionally, be stored on PCB 1040 and/or otherwisein tip assembly 1000. For example, in some embodiments, zoom settings,lighting settings, image processing settings, or other similar settingsor data may be stored in non-transitory memory located on PCB 1040and/or otherwise in tip assembly 1000. Such data may also, oralternatively, be stored on a dongle that may be configured to bedetachably coupled with tip assembly 1000 such that tip assembly 1000and/or one or more other components of a borescope may be disposed ofafter one use or a limited number of uses.

FIGS. 11A and 11B depict a handle body 1100 for a borescope systemaccording to an alternative embodiment. Handle body 1100 comprises adistal end 1102, from which a borescope tube may extend. Handle body1100 further comprises a proximal end 1104, from which one or more wiresmay extend. As described above, such wires may be coupled with a dongleand/or a mobile computing device in some embodiments.

A port 1106 at distal end 1102 may be configured to receive theborescope tube. In some embodiments, the borescope tube may bereleasably coupled with port 1106. Alternatively, the borescope tube maybe permanently affixed to handle body 1100 at port 1106. Similarly, atthe proximal end 1104, another port 1108 may be provided through whichone or more wires may extend for delivering imaging data to a dongle,computing device, and/or display.

Handle body 1100 further comprises a narrowed stem 1110 adjacent to theproximal end 1104, which may allow a user to confirm, by either tactileor visual inspection, that the handle body 1100 is in a desiredrotational orientation during a procedure. Narrowed stem 1110 alsopartially defines a recess 1115 on the bottom surface of handle body1100. Recess 1115 also provides the ability to confirm by either tactileor visual inspection that the handle body 1100 is in a desiredrotational orientation during a procedure. In use, it is anticipatedthat a surgeon/user would hold handle body 1100 with one or more of theuser's fingers, such as most typically the pinky and/or ring finger,resting within recess 1115, during use. Thus, recess 1115 and/ornarrowed stem 1110 are additional examples of means for confirming arotational orientation of a borescope handle.

In some embodiments, the dongle and/or the borescope, such as tipassembly 1000, may be used to store data that may be useful forregulatory record-keeping, incident reporting, or general recordkeeping. In other words, the dongle and/or borescope may be configuredto act similar to a “black box” in the airline industry. Moreparticularly, in some embodiments, usage data may be obtained from themedical borescope during a medical procedure and may be stored, eitheron the borescope device itself or on the dongle, to allow for lateraccess in order to obtain information regarding usage of the medicalborescope during the medical procedure. Such information may allow forregulatory agencies, courts, or the like to determine what took placeand/or at what time during a particular procedure. Or such informationmay simply be used for internal company/hospital record keepingpurposes. In some embodiments, the usage data may be correlated withother data, such as time data and or model/device identification data sothat a better picture of one or more events and the devices used toperform a medical procedure may be obtained and stored. Providingmodel/device identification data may be particularly useful inconnection with embodiments in which the dongle is used to store theblack-box data, since the dongle may be removed and used with otherborescopes while maintaining the link between the stored data and thedevice used to perform a particular procedure.

Such usage data may allow for recreation of certain aspects of a medicalprocedure. In some embodiments and implementations, the usage data maycomprise one or more of, for example, a duration of a medical procedure,an image associated with a medical procedure, such as an image triggeredby an unexpected event during the medical procedure, a time stampassociated with the medical procedure, a temperature measurementassociated with the medical procedure, an orientation of the borescope,a location of the borescope, a velocity of the borescope, such as a peakvelocity of the borescope during a medical procedure, and a power cyclecounter associated with the medical borescope.

Alternatively, or additionally, parameter and/or calibration data may bestored on the dongle and/or borescope device and/or transmitted to thedongle and/or another device, either separately from or along with theusage data. For example, in some embodiments and implementations, modelidentification data, such as, for example, a serial number or a modelnumber associated with the medical borescope, may be stored. In somesuch embodiments, the model identification data may be stored within theborescope device, such as within a memory component on the tip of thedevice, for example. Such data may then allow the dongle to query theborescope and to adjust an operational and/or control parameter inaccordance with the particular borescope detected. In this manner, asingle dongle may be used with a variety of different scopes. Forexample, the dongle may determine whether the scope is an HD scope or anSD scope, the size of the lens used on the scope, the type and/or numberof lights, etc. This information may also be used to enable or disablecertain features on the scope depending upon its functionality.

In some embodiments and implementations, usage data may only be used forthe “black box” purposes referenced above. In other embodiments andimplementations, only model identification data may be obtained andstored. Alternatively, usage data may be obtained and used for differentpurposes, either in addition to or as an alternative to the black boxpurposes. For example, usage data may be used to limit the durationand/or number of uses of the device, as discussed elsewhere herein. Insome such embodiments, the usage data may be used to enforce/control thedisposability of one or more portions of the borescope.

In some embodiments, certain data may be stored in the borescope andqueried by and/or sent to the dongle for further controlling/limitinguse of the device in this manner. For example, in some embodiments, anumber of allowable uses, an allowable duration of use, and/or anallowed operational configuration may be stored within a memorycomponent of the borescope and, upon coupling with a dongle, may beobtained by the dongle to enforce such control parameters. In someembodiments, upon detecting that a control parameter threshold has beenexceeded, the dongle may be configured to disable or otherwise limitfurther use of the borescope device.

In some embodiments and implementations, calibration data may be storedon the borescope device and/or dongle. In certain preferred embodiments,such calibration data may be stored on the borescope device, such as ona memory component that may be located in a tip of the borescope device,and may be queried by and/or sent to the dongle. Other data that mayoperate in conjunction with such calibration data may be stored on thedongle. For example, in some embodiments, lens calibration data, such ascorrection parameters, may be stored on the borescope and/or dongle,such that the dongle can query the borescope for certain lenscalibration data and apply appropriate corrections according to the lensdata received from the borescope without having to query a centralizeddatabase. As another example of calibration data, white balanceparameters may be stored on the borescope and/or dongle such that, if aparticular LED has sufficient variation from part to part and/or ifmultiple LED manufacturers are used for a certain borescope or set ofborescopes, the color spectral content of the LED for a particular scopemay be stored on a memory component in the scope and, in some suchembodiments, such data may be sent to the dongle for use in calibrationof the borescope prior to a procedure.

Another embodiment of a borescope 1200 is depicted in FIGS. 12A and 12B.Borescope 1200 comprises a handle having a distal end 1202, from which aborescope tube 1220 extends. In preferred embodiments, borescope tube1220 comprises a non-conductive material, such as polycarbonate orpolyether ether ketone (PEEK). This may provide several benefits, suchas preventing arcing, which may contribute to the safety of the device.The inventors have also discovered that non-conductive tubes may providedesirable electromagnetic isolation, which may prevent or at leastreduce electromagnetic interference (EMI) with signals generated withintube 1220. Providing a non-conductive tube portion may also simplify theconfiguration needed to provide EMI shielding.

Borescope 1200 further comprises a proximal end 1204. Rather thancomprising wires that may be coupled to a dongle, borescope 1200comprises a dongle 1300 that can be inserted directly into a port 1235formed within the handle of borescope 1200. However, a port 1208 maystill be formed at proximal end 1204 for other purposes if desired.

Dongle 1300 further comprises a memory element 1310, and a processor1320, which, as discussed above, may be used to process image data froman image sensor in the borescope 1200, as discussed above. Dongle 1300further comprises a data port 1330, which may be used to couple dongle1300 with borescope 1200 and, in some embodiments, may also allow dongle1300 to be coupled with another device, such as a general purposecomputer. In this manner, as discussed above, data obtained fromborescope 1200, such as usage data, may be stored in memory element 1310and ultimately transferred to another computer following a medicalprocedure.

The handle of borescope 1200 further comprises a narrowed stem 1210adjacent to the proximal end 1204, which may allow a user to confirm, byeither tactile or visual inspection, that the handle is in a desiredrotational orientation during a procedure, as previously mentioned.Narrowed stem 1210 also partially defines a recess 1215 on the bottomsurface of the handle body. Recess 1215 also provides the ability toconfirm by either tactile or visual inspection that the handle body 1200is in a desired rotational orientation during a procedure.

Borescope tube 1220 comprises a tip 1230. Tip 1230 and/or anothercomponent within borescope 1200 may comprise various additionalfunctional elements. An example of such a combination of elements isdepicted in FIG. 12B, which is a close-up view of tip 1230. Tip 1230comprises three LEDs 1240 positioned in a circumferential mannerrelative to image sensor 1260. Tip 1230 may further comprise one or morethrough ports 1270 that may extend at least partially up the length ofthe borescope tube 1220 and/or the handle of borescope 1200. Tip 1230may further comprise one or more lenses 1250, as previously discussed.

In order to facilitate one or more of the data storage/transmissionaspects referenced above, tip 1230 may further comprise a memory element1280 and one or more sensors 1282. Examples of sensors that may beuseful in gathering data, such as usage data, include temperaturesensors, pressure sensors, impedance sensors, gyroscopes, timers,clocks, etc. In some embodiments, one or more of sensors 1282 maycomprise a second image sensor. Such image sensor may be used to captureimages at select moments separate from the primary image sensor 1260.Data obtained during a surgical procedure from such sensor(s) may bestored in memory element 1280 and, ultimately, in some embodiments, maybe sent to a similar memory element, such as memory element 1310,located within dongle 1300.

An example of a method 1300 for use of a borescope system comprising aborescope device and a dongle is illustrated in the flow chart of FIG.13. Method 1300 begins with step 1305 at which a dongle may be coupledwith a borescope. In some implementations, the dongle may be coupledwith a disposable borescope. The borescope may then be queried by thedongle at step 1310. In some implementations, step 1310 may comprisequerying the borescope for model identification data, such as a serialnumber and/or model identification. Alternatively, or additionally,calibration data may be obtained from the borescope. Alternatively, oradditionally, usage parameters and/or prior usage data may be obtainedat step 1310 so that the dongle may facilitate limiting unwanted use ofthe borescope. At step 1315, the data obtained from the borescope may bestored on the dongle for later use.

At step 1320, an inquiry may be made as to whether a use parameter hasbeen exceeded. For example, as discussed above, in some implementations,a query may be made by the dongle as to whether the borescope has beenused before, or whether the borescope has exceeded a predeterminedthreshold duration or number of uses. If so, further use of theborescope may be restricted at step 1325. For example, in someimplementations, the dongle may disable one or more functions of theborescope at step 1325. If a use parameter has not been exceeded,process 1300 may proceed to step 1330, at which point a procedure maybegin using the borescope. In some implementations, step 1330 mayfurther comprise initiating a clock or counter to allow for trackingfurther use of the device.

Following step 1330, usage data may be sensed during the medicalprocedure at step 1335. For example, as mentioned above, one or moresensors located in the tip and/or elsewhere in the borescope may be usedto track and/or record various aspects of the procedure for laterrecovery. In some implementations, process 1300 may return to step 1320at various points throughout the procedure along with, or as analternative to, having step 1320 precede a medical procedure. Forexample, in some embodiments, the dongle, or another element of thesystem, may track use of the borescope and/or periodically query suchuse to determine whether the use parameter is exceeded during a medicalprocedure along with sensing usage data during the procedure.

Usage data obtained during the procedure may be sent to the dongle atstep 1340. This may occur as the data is gathered in step 1335 or mayoccur after the procedure has been completed. In alternativeimplementations, usage data may simply be stored within the tip oranother location within the borescope device itself rather than on thedongle.

Following step 1340, the dongle may be removed at step 1345 to allow forstorage of the data obtained during the procedure. In someimplementations, one or more portions of the scope may then be disposedof and the dongle may be coupled and used with a new borescope at step1350.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from its spirit or essential characteristics. The describedembodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrativeand not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicatedby the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. Allchanges that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of theclaims are to be embraced within their scope.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A medical borescope, comprising: a handle;a tube extending from the handle, wherein the tube comprises anon-conductive material; a tip assembly positioned at a distal end ofthe tube, wherein at least a portion of the medical borescope device isdisposable, and wherein the tip assembly comprises: a housing; a lightsource; a lens assembly; an image sensor; and a printed circuit board;and a dongle comprising an image processor configured to receive imagedata from the image sensor, wherein the dongle is removably coupleablewith the handle of the medical borescope, and wherein the entire medicalborescope including the handle, the tube and the tip assembly isdisposable such that the dongle can be removed from the handle of themedical borescope and coupled with a handle of a new medical borescopeupon disposal of the medical borescope.
 2. The medical borescope ofclaim 1, wherein the non-conductive tube comprises at least one of apolycarbonate, a polyether ether ketone, and a ceramic material.
 3. Themedical borescope of claim 1, further comprising a dongle comprising animage processor configured to receive image data from the image sensor,wherein the dongle is removably coupleable with the handle of themedical borescope such that the dongle can be coupled with a pluralityof distinct medical borescopes.
 4. The medical borescope of claim 3,wherein the dongle is further configured to at least one of receive anddetect borescope-specific parameter data from the medical borescope,wherein the borescope-specific parameter data comprises data unique tothe medical borescope.
 5. The medical borescope of claim 4, wherein theborescope-specific parameter data comprises at least one of a serialnumber and a model number associated with the medical borescope, andwherein the borescope-specific parameter data is stored in the medicalborescope.
 6. The medical borescope of claim 1, wherein the tube is madeup of a non-conductive material along the entire length of the tube. 7.The medical borescope of claim 1, wherein the tip assembly furthercomprises a transparent cover at the distal end of the tip assembly, andwherein the transparent cover is positioned apart from the light sourcesuch that light from the light source does not pass through thetransparent cover during use.
 8. The medical borescope of claim 1,wherein the printed circuit board is physically separated from the lightsource such that the light source is positioned distally of the printedcircuit board within the tip assembly.
 9. The medical borescope of claim8, wherein the light source is positioned at least substantially flushwith a distal end of the tip assembly.
 10. The medical borescope ofclaim 8, further comprising means for spacing the light source from theprinted circuit board.
 11. The medical borescope of claim 10, whereinthe means for spacing comprises a spacing mount coupled with the printedcircuit board.
 12. A medical borescope, comprising: a handle; a tubeextending from the handle, wherein the tube is defined by an at leastsubstantially non-conductive material; and a tip assembly positioned ata distal end of the tube, wherein the tip assembly comprises: a lightsource; a lens; an image sensor; and a housing, wherein the light sourceis positioned within a first cavity formed within the housing, andwherein the lens is positioned within a second cavity formed within thehousing.
 13. The medical borescope of claim 12, wherein the tube iswholly defined by an at least substantially non-conductive material. 14.The medical borescope of claim 12, wherein at least a portion of thelens is positioned to extend at least substantially flush with a distalend of the tip assembly, and wherein at least a portion of the lightsource is positioned to extend at least substantially flush with thedistal end of the tip assembly.
 15. The medical borescope of claim 14,wherein the tip assembly further comprises a transparent coverpositioned at the distal end of the tip assembly, and wherein thetransparent cover extends over the lens without extending over the lightsource.
 16. A medical borescope, comprising: a handle; a tube extendingfrom the handle; and a tip assembly positioned at a distal end of thetube, wherein the tip assembly comprises: a housing; a light sourcecoupled with the housing and positioned at least substantially flushwith a distal end of the housing; a lens assembly; an image sensor; aprinted circuit board comprising a memory element; and a transparentlens cover positioned at least substantially flush with the distal endof the housing, wherein the transparent lens cover is isolated from thelight source such that the light source is not positioned behind thetransparent lens cover.
 17. The medical borescope of claim 16, whereinthe tube is wholly defined by a non-conductive material.
 18. A medicalborescope, comprising: a handle; a tube extending from the handle,wherein the tube comprises a non-conductive material; and a tip assemblypositioned at a distal end of the tube, wherein the tip assemblycomprises: a housing; a light source; a lens assembly; an image sensor;and a printed circuit board, wherein the printed circuit board isphysically separated from the light source such that the light source ispositioned distally of the printed circuit board within the tipassembly.
 19. The medical borescope of claim 18, further comprising adongle removably coupleable with the medical borescope, wherein thedongle comprises an image processor configured to receive image datafrom the image sensor.
 20. The medical borescope of claim 19, whereinthe entire medical borescope including the handle, the tube and the tipassembly is disposable such that the dongle can be removed from thehandle of the medical borescope and coupled with a handle of a newmedical borescope upon disposal of the medical borescope.
 21. Themedical borescope of claim 18, wherein the wherein the tube is made upof a non-conductive material along the entire length of the tube, andwherein the tip assembly further comprises a transparent cover at thedistal end of the tip assembly, and wherein the transparent cover ispositioned apart from the light source such that light from the lightsource does not pass through the transparent cover during use.